READY-MADE recyclable homes are being built on a housing estate by an Ilkley construction company.

The 22 steel-framed modules arrived on flatbed lorries and were lifted into place by a 75-tonne crane to form the first five houses of the Dairy Meadow development being built on the site of a former creamery near Skipton.

The building system involves bringing in separate eight-tonne sections of the homes, which are made in Wales, before putting them together and coating them in an outer layer. Their 80 per cent recyclable content is said to set a new precedent for the region.

Other environmentally-friendly construction techniques are also set to be used on the development, including a reed bed drainage system for the treatment of sewage and a wood burning boiler using chippings from local woodlands.

The main contractors on the site, Landmarks (UK) Ltd, of East Parade, Ilkley, ensured that each of the modules was carefully craned into position.

Managing director Steve Bailey said: "These modules have been prefabricated in Wales to exacting standards and specifications.

"They are craned into position and assembled on site. Various finishes can then be applied to the structure. In the case of Dairy Meadow this will be locally sourced natural stone."

David Nelson, of the Dairy Meadow Development Company, said: "There now seems to be an overwhelming body of evidence showing that climate change is a serious and urgent issue. From the very beginning of the design and development of Dairy Meadow, we have had environmental issues at the top of our agenda.

"Eco-friendly building techniques and systems have been selected and, where possible, natural products and locally-sourced materials chosen."

The old West Marton creamery closed in 2001 and the new development will replace it with 22 homes and five rural workshops.

The first property in phase one is expected to be completed by Easter, with other properties being released at a rate of around one per month.